The NSW Police Association has slammed the new Tea Gardens Police station as 'unfit for purpose'
The pre-fabricated, windowless building arrived on the back of a truck in January to the dismay of locals who believed the heritage-listed station would be receiving a $1 million upgrade.
Northern Region One executive Ian Allwood said the police were not consulted about the building's design.
"We are usually invited to the table to discuss projects like this; it looks like a rush job," Mr Allwood said.
"It's a regrettable situation, it's not only a sub-standard building but it's a bad outcome for the officers who will be working there and and it is a bad outcome for the community."
A breakdown of the project shows $117,000 was spent on and $883,000 was spent on the building.
Port Stephens MP Kate Washington told Parliament last week that "someone should be going to jail" if the figures were true.
"It's a disgrace. Not only to my community who have been lied to, but to the local police as well, who were promised a lot more than this," Ms Washington said.
"The Premier begged people to show up for her announcement in an election year. She promised a significant upgrade. Her government defended the delay last year, and attacked me for supposedly not knowing how to read a budget paper.
"Now, if this demountable building, half the size of a shipping container, weirdly clad in timber, and plonked next to a heritage building, cost $117,000 to design, our State is in serious trouble."
A similar building will be installed at Karuah.
"I am devastated for these local police officers," Ms Washington said.
"The entire Karuah Police station is now just one of these Swedish sauna boxes. No windows, no light, no air."
A NSW Police spokesman previously said the Tea Gardens project would deliver: a "refreshed workspace with upgraded IT, security and amenities in the existing building as well as a new modular unit permanently attached to the existing police station building."
"The use of modular construction methodology minimises interruption to operational policing, with on-site activities completed in a fraction of the time."
"Off-site components for construction, including early works, have commenced. On site activities commenced in January 2020."
"The upgrade works are expected to be completed by mid-2020."
The project is part of the the $118 million police property capital works program.
